Cacosternum striatum FitzSimons, 1947

Channing, Alan, Schmitz, Andreas, Burger, Marius & Kielgast, Jos, 2013, A molecular phylogeny of African Dainty Frogs, with the description of four new species (Anura: Pyxicephalidae: Cacosternum), Zootaxa 3701 (5), pp. 518-550 : 540

Cacosternum striatum FitzSimons, 1947

Striped Dainty Frog.

( Figs. 3 O, 4 O)

Genetics. The uncorrected p within-clade variation in 16S ranges from 0.0–0.2% (n= 3). This species differs from the other 14 species by 2.5–7.3%. The sample has four likely tyr haplotypes, of which one is shared with an individual C. boettgeri .

Advertisement call. The advertisement call is a brief high-pitched chirp. A typical call ( Fig. 11 ) shows that the pulses are arranged in doublets in the middle, with the initial and final few pulses being produced at a faster rate than the middle. The duration of this call is 0.33 s, with the 21 pulses starting at 100 s -1, slowing to 60 s -1, before speeding up slightly at the end of the call.

Morphology. These are small frogs, with females reaching 13.7 mm SUL in our sample (n=7). The vocal pouch of breeding males is pale ( Fig. 4 ). The dorsum is smooth, lacking protruding glands. Viewed from above, the nostrils are within one nostril diameter of the anterior snout margin. The supratympanic fold continues posteriorly to form a saddle. The upper lip continues posteriorly as an indistinct interrupted rictal gland. The palm lacks supernumerary tubercles. The inner metatarsal tubercle is low, inconspicuous, as wide as the tip of the first toe. The nuptial pad of breeding males is low, inconspicuous, extending to the level of the proximal subarticular tubercle. The belly is silvery white, with some small black speckles.

Distribution. The species is widespread in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where it has been recorded from 13 quarter-degree cells (Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town). Our sequenced specimens come from Mpur Forest ( Fig. 9 ). It breeds in shallow temporary pools that may be overgrown.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Representatives of species of African Dainty Frogs, Cacosternum. All localities in South Africa unless indicated otherwise. A – C. aggestum sp. nov. Holotype MHNG 2690.25 Klipheuwel; B – C. australis sp. nov. MHNG 2699.34, Robertson; C – C. boettgeri MHNG 2740.23 Matatiele; D – C. capense MHNG 2690.23 Klipheuwel; E – C. karooicum MHNG 2740.67 Vrolijkheid; F – C. kinangopensis holotype NMK A / 4372 Murugaru, Kenya; G – C. leleupi Lusinga, Democraic Republic of Congo; H – C. namaquense MHNG 2699.45 Arakoep; I – C. nanogularum sp. nov. holotype MHNG 2750.77 Nkandla; J – C. nanum MHNG 2740.86 Hogsback; K – C. parvum MHNG 2741.2, Mariepskop; L – C. platys MHNG 2709.03 Noordhoek; M – C. plimptoni AC 2535 MHNG 2661.23 Serengeti National Park, Tanzania; N – C. rhythmum sp. nov. MHNG 2741.15, Qudeni; O – C. striatum MHNG 2741.20 Mpur Forest.

FIGURE 4. Ventral views of breeding Cacosternum males. All localities in South Africa unless indicated otherwise. A – C. aggestum sp. nov. MHNG 2690.25, Klipheuwel. B – C. australis sp. nov., MHNG 2699.42 Pearly Beach C – C. boettgeri MHNG 2740.31, The Vale Farm. D – C. capense MHNG 2690.23 Klipheuwel. E – C. karooicum MHNG 2740.67, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. F – C. kinangopensis NMK A / 4372, Murungaru, Kenya. G – C. leleupi MHNG 2740.69 Lusinga, Democratic Republic of Congo. H – C. namaquense, MHNG 2699.44 Arakoep. I – C. nanogularum sp. nov. MHNG 2740.78, Nkandla. J – C. nanum MHNG 2740.87 Hogsback. K – C. parvum MHNG 2740.66 Maclear. L – C. platys MHNG 2699.37 Kenilworth. M – C. plimptoni MNHG 2661.21, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. N – C. rhythmum sp. nov., MHNG 2741.12 Harrismith. O – C. striatum MHNG 2741.21 Mpur Forest.

FIGURE 9. Localities of the molecular samples used in this study. Cacosternum capense pale pink circle; C. namaquense pale blue square; C. nanum dark green circles; C. platys yellow triangles; C. karooicum yellow circle; C. nanogularum orange squares; C. parvum red triangles; C. striatum white circle.

FIGURE 11. Representative advertisement calls of Cacosternum platys Kenilworth (left), C. plimptoni Nairobi (center) and C. striatum Singisi (right).